UPDATE FROM MY JUNE 18 POSTING

imconcerned · New User Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 6

In reference to my posting of June 18 under cervical cancer.

Now I really don't know what to think. I kept on top of things with my dr. She had referred me to a internal/kidney disease specialist. He scheduled a colonostomy which I had last Thursday, July 24. He was unable to complete it because he said "I couldn't get through a bend(?), it was block(?) and believe me I tried, but couldn't try anymore, I was afraid of perforating something" Now he is going to "discuss things with his team and probably order a radiograph(?) test" This is what I understood him to say, does any of this make sense to anyone?

I looked up Incomplete Colonostomy online (which is what he called it), but all it did was confuse and scare the heck out of me. I know he said something about colon cancer, but also something about twists and blockages and having to get a "road map of my insides so he could follow it" I do not want to go through that particular test again. I was in pain during the test (the parts I remember, anyways) and suffered greatly that night and part of the next day with cramps and bloating.

Please give me some insight of any similar experiences or knowledge you may have on my situation. I am trying not to stress, but it seems like with every test that is done, I fall further and further into confusion and worry. I need someone to give it to me in layman's terms, you know?

Anyways, thanks in advance for any help you offer and for just letting me vent a little.

brainman

imconcerned, I am not sure we are using the word "Colonostomy" in the same way. It sounds like what you are in fact describing is a colonoscopy (scopy = see)... where they inset a small camera into your colon and try so snake it up the colon examining for possible polyps, cancers, or other blockages. Is that what you had? A colonostomy (stomy = opening) is when they but an external bad to divert the colon info because of a blockage or removal of a major part of the colon.

Assuming that it was a colonoscopy, the report makes sense. The doctor reached a bind in your colon that he could not get past without risking puncturing your colon (which would be very bad... as bad as a ruptured appendix). Why he could not get past that particular point is still a question. It could be a cancer or benign tumor. It could also be something structurally not normal about your colon like a tight curve. Keep working with your medical team to try to find the root cause(s) of your problems.
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imconcerned · New User Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 6

Yep, colonoscopy is the right word Smile

Thank you for your reply, it sounds like what the dr was talking about. I go back to see him next week and will post what he says, as I'm sure I will have questions. I 'm writing down all the questions I want to ask him, so hoefully I will come away from that appoinment with a better understanding of what's going on.

Again thank you for your reply; it's nice to have somewhere to go and just "talk" with others.

brainman

Thought so Smile

.

Good idea to write your questions. I have a medical journal that I take with me all the time. It is amazing how fast important questions can fly out of the hole in my head just as soon as the doctor enters the room Laughing

.
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Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

In

Hi, I totally agree with JIM.

write down your questions and keep them with you, don't be afraid to ask even the silliest ones.

It does sound as though he is doing the right thing, not pushing, but also getting "the map" to help him know and see what is going on.

I do wish it gets worked out soon. Just for your state of mind, more than anything.

Heat packs and hot water bottle help???? and laying on left side- helps realse gas and air etc. Wink

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Thinking of you Inica

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Sternum~
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My Story-
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ksplat

Hello

Sorry to read about your health concerns. This is such a worry for you & I hope you will receive some clarity real soon.

Colonoscopies can be very uncomfortable & I have a bad memory from my last one! I did have pain & was fairly awake at stages of the procedure. Awake enough to let the Dr know that I was in pain & very uncomfortable. They stopped & gave me more of the sedative drug & I was much more comfortable. Let the Dr/Anaesthetist know prior to your next colonoscopy about your previous bad experience & I'm sure they will make adjustments to the drugs to ensure you are comfortable.

Thinking of you.
Cheers, Angie.
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23 Sep 2008
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227

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imconcerned · New User Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 6

Thank you for the replies. I thought I would email an update. Yesterday, thursday the 7th, I had a virtual colonoscopy. They found a "2.0 x 2.5 x 0.6 cm nonmobile mass mucosal lesion in the mid sigmoid colon that is suggestive of a sessile polyp". My dr wants to do another colonoscopy. My CEA level has elevated to 6.7; up from 5.9 in June. I have read that sometimes other things can cause the CEA to elevate, could it be this polyp and still be benign? I mean not all polyps are cancerous, right? Anyways, if anyone has any insight, that would be great.

Thanks for following my situation and all the support and advice.

In

I'm sorry to hear they have found something, but I'm glad you are not waiting now. Some polyps are non cancerous. It is great that they are looking into it more evasive now, to find the answers you need.

I Haven't noticed if you had posted in the bowel thread as yet, you may find some better advice and help there too.

Keep us informed and keep your head high.

X In
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Thinking of you Inica

*Administrator*

~Nose Cancer~
~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
Sternum~
~Continous Cervical Cancer~

My Story-
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731

Smile

9 Lives and still kicking Smile

imconcerned · New User Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 6

I had a PET Scan last week, Sept 17. I met with the dr yesterday for the results. He said I have a "hot spot" in the sigmoid colon at the site of the polyp, two spots on my liver and I have a mediastinum and hilar lymph node finding in my lung(s). He could not tell me if this was cancer or not, all he could tell me is that the test is 97% accurate for finding cancer and/or potential cancerous sites. I have to go to an onocologist (sp) to follow up on all this. I also got the results from the blood test last week and the CEA is 9.7. Do I have cancer? I read on the internet that this could be something called metasis (sp) from colon cancer. Needless to say, I am scared!!!

As all of you have probably felt, my first thoughts were of my kids. I am a single parent, most my family lives in other states and I don't have many friends to turn to. My dr said he was going to send a referral to a counselor so I have someone to talk to. Does he know something, but doesn't want to be the one to say it, or is he just not making a diagnosis because he doesn't know for sure?

I am usually a very positive person, but honestly, I haven't really stopped crying since the dr visit. I haven't told my kids or anyone for that matter. I want to be sure, just incase. I don't want to be the cause of someone else's worry if it's not necessary, but at the same time, I don't want to do this alone anymore. It's getting too intense. I have a job that I have to keep so I can keep the insurance, but I am really getting fatigued (sp) and my asthma seems to be getting worse, my normal meds don't seem to be working as well as they should (for the last couple of months, I think it's just stress though) and if I work part-time, I loose the insurance. Maybe I'm futurizing a bit, but I need to have some kind of plan in place if in fact I do have cancer and need time off to deal with it. I need to feel in control of something, cause I sure don't feel in control right now. I'll just have to wait and see what happens, I guess.

I'm sorry, I just needed to "explode" a bit. I can't believe I actually feel angry at my dr for telling me. I keep thinking, he's just a family doctor, what does he know. Maybe he's wrong. I feel like I want to run to a million different doctors and see if anyone can tell me I'm ok, this has been all a mistake. Why is this? Is this a normal thing? Wow..so many feelings and thoughts are flying around in my head, I can't seem to grasp any of them to hang on to. I wish I had a definate answer, but then again, I'm afraid to hear those words. I know I may not be making sense, and I'm sorry if I'm not, I'm just venting I guess.

Anyways, thanks to everyone on this site that keeps it operating and makes it possible for people to have somewhere to turn to.

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1293

((((Imconcerned)))))

Breathe... breathe... breathe...

I'm sure you are as frightened as all get out and I'm so very sorry. I've never had a brush with cancer myself, but lost my husband almost a year ago, so know the agony of waiting for a diagnosis. Here is what he always said during this long testing phase --- "I don't have cancer until someone tells me I have cancer." Worked for him and me. By the time all the results from the biopsy were in, we pretty much knew he had cancer, but we kind of mentally "eased" our way into the diagnosis over time.

Of course you are crying and feeling like your world is out of control. The mind racing is pretty common from my own experience. Don't worry, you don't need to make sense right now. It's impossible for the brain to grasp the possibility of a cancer diagnosis.

I'm so sorry that you are traveling on this unknown path with youngsters. How old are your children?

What is the next step in the process? Has he referred you to anyone? Have they done a biopsy?

I'm sending huge hugs and lots of prayers for this to be something other than cancer. Please feel free to rant, rave, and ramble here at anytime. That's what this site is all about -- support and information from people who have been there and who understand.

PBJ
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Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

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